Training Tool for Reaching Out Arms while Catching a Football and Method of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A training tool is an apparatus that teaches a user to reach their arms out from their torso in order to catch a football. The apparatus includes a waistband, a left wrist strap, a right wrist strap, a left elastic cord, and a right elastic cord. The waistband attaches the apparatus to the user&#39;s waist, and the left wrist strap and the right wrist strap attach the apparatus to the user&#39;s wrists. The left wrist strap is connected to the waistband by the left elastic cord, and the right wrist strap is connected to the waistband by the right elastic cord. The left elastic cord provides a resistance between the left wrist and the waist, which reminds the user to fully extend the left arm. Similarly, the right elastic cord provides a resistance between the right wrist and the waist, which reminds the user to fully extend the right arm.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/652,472 filed on May 29, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for athletic resistance training. More specifically, the present invention is a training tool to aid pass receivers in the game of football.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In American football, receivers tend to “alligator arm” football passes, which means to timidly extend their arms away from their torso while trying to catch a football pass. This is because they have not repeatedly practiced extending their arms during a catch. The objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method of use thereof that enables muscle memory for the user while performing this particular motor skill, which additionally helps to form other beneficial habits for catching a football. For example, the present invention breaks the habit of catching a football against the body because the present invention reminds the user to extend their arms while catching the football. The present invention also breaks the habit of not watching the football into the user's hands because the present invention reminds the user to extend their arms while catching the football, which places their hands into their field of view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the apparatus for the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top schematic view of the apparatus for the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus for the present invention showing an individual vertically extending to catch a football.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus for the present invention showing the individual laterally extending to catch a football.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the present invention is a training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football. The training tool provides a user with a tactile response if their arms are not fully extended away from their torso while catching a football. The present invention comprises a waistband 1, a left wrist strap 2, a right wrist strap 3, a left elastic cord 8, and a right elastic cord 9. The waistband 1 is used to secure the present invention to the user's waist. Similarly, the left wrist strap 2 is used to secure the present invention to the user's left wrist, and the right wrist strap 3 is used to secure the present invention to the user's right wrist. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waistband 1, the left wrist strap 2, and the right wrist strap 3 are made of vinyl. The left elastic cord 8 provides the tactile response between the waist and the left wrist if the left arm is not fully extended away from the torso. Likewise, the right elastic cord 9 provides the tactile response between the waist and the right wrist if the right arm is not fully extended away from the torso. While the user is wearing the present invention, the left wrist strap 2 and the right wrist strap 3 add resistance to the physical motion of the upper body's fundamental mechanics for catching a football pass. The left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 compel the user to move their left hand and their right hand away from their torso in order to properly catch the football.

The left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 are long enough to remain flaccid while the user performs other activities such as running or jumping. However, the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 are short enough to provide gradual tension as the user begins to fully extend their arms to catch a football. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 each comprise a proximal end 10 and a distal end 11, which are positioned opposite of each other along their respective band. The proximal end 10 of the left elastic cord 8 is laterally connected to the waistband 1, and the distal end 11 of the left elastic cord 8 is laterally connected to the left wrist strap 2, which allows the left elastic cord 8 to pull the left arm back towards the torso while the user extends the left arm. Similarly, the proximal end 10 of the right elastic cord 9 is laterally connected to the waistband 1, and the distal end 11 of the right elastic cord 9 is laterally connected to the right wrist strap 3, which allows the right elastic cord 9 to pull the right arm back towards the torso while the user extends the right arm. In addition, the proximal end 10 of the left elastic cord 8 and the proximal end 10 of the right elastic cord 9 are diametrically opposed to each other around the waistband 1 so that the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 do not hinder the natural motion of the left arm or the right arm while the user performs other activities. In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 can vary in diametrical thickness between low, medium, and high, which would vary the resistance provided by the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9. The resistance of the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 is chosen for the present invention depending on the user's football experience, the user's athletic ability, or some other factor.

The waistband 1, the left wrist strap 2, and the right wrist strap 3 are all components that can be attached or detached from their respective body parts. For the present invention to properly function, the waistband 1 needs to be tightly fitted around the user's waist, and the left wrist strap 2 and the right wrist strap 3 needs to be loosely fitted around the user's wrists. Consequently, the waistband 1, the left wrist strap 2, and the right wrist strap 3 each comprise a first end 4, a second end 5, a first fastener 6, and a second fastener 7, which are all shown in FIG. 2. The configuration of the first end 4, the second end 5, the first fastener 6, and the second fastener 7 are similar for the waistband 1, the left wrist strap 2, and the right wrist strap 3. The first end 4 and the second end 5 are positioned opposite to each other along the length of their respective component. The first fastener 6 and the second fastener 7 are corresponding parts of a single locking mechanism. The first fastener 6 is connected onto the first end 4, and the second fastener 7 is connected onto the second end 5. The first end 4 and the second end 5 are brought together when their respective component forms a loop shape. The first fastener 6 and the second fastener 7 are engaged to each other so that their respective component can retain the loop shape. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener 6 is the hooks portion of a hooks-and-loops fastener, and the second fastener 7 is the loops portion of the hooks-and-loops fastener.

The method of utilizing the training tool will allow the user to learn to reach out their arms while catching a football. The user must properly attach the training tool to their body, which begins by snuggly attaching the waistband 1 around their waist. The waistband 1 is then rotated about the waist in order to align the left elastic cord 8 below the left arm and to align the right elastic cord 9 below the right arm. Subsequently, the left wrist strap 2 is rotatably attached to the user's left wrist, and the right wrist strap 3 is rotatably attached to the user's right wrist, which does not hinder the movement of the user's wrists while performing other activities.

For the method of utilizing the present invention, the training tool acts on the user's body as the user is catching the football, which is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The configuration of the training tool allows the user to catch a football either running or standing still. In order to catch the football, the user needs to visually locate the football during its flight trajectory. The user can then orient their left arm and their right arm in order to intercept the football with their left hand and their right hand during its flight trajectory. Consequently, the user will stretch the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 while extending both the left arm and the right arm away from the torso in order to catch the football. The tension within the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 acts a physical reminder to extend both the left arm and the right arm while catching the football. The physical reminder felt from the training tool allows the user to develop this particular motor skill of catching a football while the left arm and the right arm are extended from the torso. If this physical reminder is continuously felt through multiple repetitions of football catching drills, then extending the left arm and the right arm while catching a football will become muscle memory. In addition, the user will further extend their left arm and their right arm if the ideal tension is not felt by the user within the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9. The ideal tension for the left elastic cord 8 is defined as the tension felt by the user when their left arm is fully extended away from the torso. The ideal tension of the right elastic cord 9 is defined as the tension felt by the user when the right arm is fully extended away from the torso. The ideal tension is determined by feeling out each elastic cord with its respective arm before attempting to catch a football. Finally, the user must resist the left elastic cord 8 and the right elastic cord 9 at the ideal tension as the football is caught the left hand and the right hand, which helps the user to visually follow the football into the left hand and the right hand. This is because the left hand and the right hand are in the user's field of view while the left arm and the right arm are extended away from the torso.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football comprises: a waistband; a left wrist strap; a right wrist strap; a left elastic cord; a right elastic cord; said left elastic cord and said right elastic cord each comprises a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end and said distal end for said left elastic cord being positioned opposite of each other along said left elastic cord; said proximal end of said left elastic cord being laterally connected to said waistband; said distal end of said left elastic cord being laterally connected to said left wrist strap; said proximal end and said distal end for said right elastic cord being positioned opposite to each other along said right elastic cord; said proximal end of said right elastic cord being laterally connected to said waistband; and said distal end of said right elastic cord being laterally connected to said right wrist strap.
 2. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 1 comprises: said proximal end of said left elastic cord and said proximal end of said right elastic cord being diametrically opposed to each other around said waistband.
 3. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 1 comprises: said waistband, said left wrist strap, and said right wrist strap each comprise a first end, a second end, a first fastener, and a second fastener.
 4. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 3 comprises: said first end and said second end for said waistband being positioned opposite to each other along said waistband; said first fastener of said waistband being connected onto said first end of said waistband; said second fastener of said waistband being connected onto said second end of said waistband; and said first fastener and said second fastener for said waistband being engaged to each other.
 5. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 3 comprises: said first end and said second end for said left wrist strap being positioned opposite to each other along said left wrist strap; said first fastener of said left wrist strap being connected onto said first end of said left wrist strap; said second fastener of said left wrist strap being connected onto said second end of said left wrist strap; and said first fastener and said second fastener for said left wrist strap being engaged to each other.
 6. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 3 comprises: said first end and said second end for said right wrist strap being positioned opposite to each other along said right wrist strap; said first fastener of said right wrist strap being connected onto said first end of said right wrist strap; said second fastener of said right wrist strap being connected onto said second end of said right wrist strap; and said first fastener and said second fastener for said right wrist strap being engaged to each other.
 7. A training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football comprises: a waistband; a left wrist strap; a right wrist strap; a left elastic cord; a right elastic cord; said waistband, said left wrist strap, and said right wrist strap each comprise a first end, a second end, a first fastener, and a second fastener; said left elastic cord and said right elastic cord each comprises a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end and said distal end for said left elastic cord being positioned opposite of each other along said left elastic cord; said proximal end of said left elastic cord being laterally connected to said waistband; said distal end of said left elastic cord being laterally connected to said left wrist strap; said proximal end and said distal end for said right elastic cord being positioned opposite to each other along said right elastic cord; said proximal end of said right elastic cord being laterally connected to said waistband; said distal end of said right elastic cord being laterally connected to said right wrist strap; and said proximal end of said left elastic cord and said proximal end of said right elastic cord being diametrically opposed to each other around said waistband.
 8. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 7 comprises: said first end and said second end for said waistband being positioned opposite to each other along said waistband; said first fastener of said waistband being connected onto said first end of said waistband; said second fastener of said waistband being connected onto said second end of said waistband; and said first fastener and said second fastener for said waistband being engaged to each other.
 9. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 7 comprises: said first end and said second end for said left wrist strap being positioned opposite to each other along said left wrist strap; said first fastener of said left wrist strap being connected onto said first end of said left wrist strap; said second fastener of said left wrist strap being connected onto said second end of said left wrist strap; and said first fastener and said second fastener for said left wrist strap being engaged to each other.
 10. The training tool for reaching out arms while catching a football as claimed in claim 7 comprises: said first end and said second end for said right wrist strap being positioned opposite to each other along said right wrist strap; said first fastener of said right wrist strap being connected onto said first end of said right wrist strap; said second fastener of said right wrist strap being connected onto said second end of said right wrist strap; and said first fastener and said second fastener for said right wrist strap being engaged to each other.
 11. A method of utilizing a training tool to teach reaching out arms while catching a football, the method comprises the steps of: providing a training tool, wherein said training tool comprises a waistband, a left wrist strap, and a right wrist strap; providing a human body, wherein said human body includes a left arm with a left hand and a left wrist, a right arm with a right hand and a right wrist, and a torso with a waist; snuggly attaching said waistband around said waist; aligning said left elastic cord below said left arm and aligning said right elastic cord below said right arm; rotatably attaching said left wrist strap to said left wrist and rotatably attaching said right wrist strap to said right wrist; stretching said left elastic cord and said right elastic cord while extending both said left arm and said right arm away from said torso in order to catch a football; further extending said left arm and said right arm, if an ideal tension is not felt within said left elastic cord and said right elastic cord; and resisting said left elastic cord and said right elastic cord at said ideal tension as said football is caught with said left hand and said right hand.
 12. The method of utilizing a training tool to teach reaching out arms while catching a football, the method as claimed in claim 11 comprises the step of: rotating said waistband about said waist in order to align said left elastic cord below said left arm and to align said right elastic cord below said right arm.
 13. The method of utilizing a training tool to teach reaching out arms while catching a football, the method as claimed in claim 11 comprises the step of: running while extending said left arm and said right arm in order to catch said football.
 14. The method of utilizing a training tool to teach reaching out arms while catching a football, the method as claimed in claim 11 comprises the step of: standing still while extending said left arm and said right arm in order to catch said football.
 15. The method of utilizing a training tool to teach reaching out arms while catching a football, the method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said ideal tension is felt within said left elastic cord when said left arm is fully extended away from said torso.
 16. The method of utilizing a training tool to teach reaching out arms while catching a football, the method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said ideal tension is felt within said right elastic cord when said right arm is fully extended away from said torso.
 17. The method of utilizing a training tool to teach reaching out arms while catching a football, the method as claimed in claim 11 comprises the step of: providing said football with a flight trajectory; visually locating said football during said flight trajectory; orienting said left arm and said right arm in order to intercept said football with said left hand and said right hand during said flight trajectory; and visually following said football into said left hand and said right hand while extending said left arm and said right arm in order to catch said football. 